"Battles, Alliances, and a Dangerous Gamble"
In post-Assad Syria, As-Suwayda is gripped by fierce clashes between Druze fighters, including religious leader Hikmat al-Hijri, and forces loyal to Ahmad al-Sharaa. But their positions on Israel ignite a storm: Was this a necessary alliance — or a fateful step that let foreign powers into southern Syria?
In this episode of Reel Talk, I discuss the future of Syria and the challenges to its unity after the recent events in As-Suweida with Nizar Ghanem, Director of Research at the Alternative Policy Institute, and writer and researcher Shadi Abou Karam.
Both proud members of the Druze community, Nizar and Shadi walk us through the developments As-Suweida has witnessed over the past two decades — from the community’s relationship with ousted president Bashar al-Assad, to the fierce clashes that erupted with Syria’s new regime under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Has the As-Suweida massacre reopened the question of Syria’s fragmentation?
Was Ahmad al-Sharaa trapped by Israel — and did he betray the Druze community?
Is Israel planning to turn southern Syria into a buffer zone?
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